Dissident republicans who left a van bomb near the centre of Belfast were trying to undermine the peace process just hours before party leaders met President George Bush, it was claimed today.
SDLP MLA Mr Alban Maginness said dissident republicans carried out the atttempted bombing of the new Laganside Court in a bid to steal the limelight from the White House meetings in Washington.
The massive fuel-type device with an attached timer unit was abandoned outside the city's main courthouse in a white van, whose owner was hijacked and forced to drive the van there by three masked men.
British army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion. It later emerged there were three bombs in the van.
Security chiefs believe the failed bombing was an attempt by republican opponents of the Belfast Agreement to overshadow the White House's early St Patrick's Day meeting.
Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams, SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan, Chief Constable Mr Hugh Orde and Taoiseach Mr Ahern are to meet President Bush later today.
The attack was also condemned by Sinn Féin North Belfast councillor Mr Eoin O'Broin who insisted dissident groups have no support within the wider republican constituency.
DUP North Belfast MP Mr Nigel Dodds said: "Those who are out in Washington pandering to the Sinn Féin agenda should instead be devoting their energies to protecting the innocent people back home on all sides who are still being threatened by terrorists".